Hay-curing frame.



Arena* rer-res;

GEORGE SYMMS, JR., OF AUGUSTA, GEORGIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO MATTIE MOSELEY MCOLUSKY, OF AUGUSTA, GEORGIA.

HAY-CURING FRAME.

SPEGIFCATION forming part of LettersgPatent No. 712,978, dated November 4, 1902. Application filed March 26,190?. Serial No. 100.085. (No model.)

' full, clear, and exact description ofthe invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to a hay-curing frame adapted tobe used in a iield to receive hay as cut; and the primary object ofthe same is to provide a simple and effective folding device of this character which can be readily set up in operative position or disconnected and stored in compact form and avoid by its use the usual custom of transferring hay from a field in wagons and also facilitating the curing of hay by permitting a circulation lof air around, under, and over the quantityvof hay placed therein.

A further object of the invention is to pref serve hay after it has been cut through wet weather, the quantity of hay being placed Within the device above the ground-surface and encourage a thorough ventilation or drying out without injury to the hay.

Av further object of the invention is to save timei'n-the handling of cut hay by having within the field or meadow means for directly receiving quantities of hay without requiring the usual transporting methods. y

-With these and other objects and advan tages in view the invention consists in the novel construction and arrangement of the Several parts, which will be more fully hereinafter described and claimed. v

In the drawings, Figure l is a perspective View of a hay-curing frame embodying the features of the invention and Iset up in operative position. Fig. 2 is a detail perspective view of parts of the improved device, showing the manner of joining the same. Fig. 3 is a detail perspective View of parts of the device, showing a modification in the mode of connecting the same. Fig. Il is a detail perspective View of a further modified form of connection between parts of the device.

Similar numerals of reference are employed tindicate corresponding parts in the several views.

The improved device comprises two members l and 2, each having a pair of elongated bars 3, which are pivotally attached at their upp'er extremities and serve as supportinglegs for the entire structure when the device 'of the bars 3 and also strengthen the latter to overcome any tendency to fracture by the weight strain of the hay imposed upon the entire device. The lower portion of the complete frame or device is in the form of a basket or rick bottom 5, which is formed by a series of inwardly and downwardly extending bars 6, Secured to the bars 3 and having their inner ends cutaway or beveled, as at 7, and adapted to rest upon the ground-surface within the confines of area of the lower ends v of the bars 3, which are also disposed Aupon the ground-surface. The bars 6 are pivoted to the bars 3 and are adapted to be folded up against the latter when the parts of the device are arranged for storage' or reduced to compact form. The basket or rick bottom also comprises a surrounding wire S,which is passed around they bars 3 above the planes of'attachment of the bars 6 thereto and secured at opposite points to` headed pins or nails 7a, driven into apart ofthe bars. This Wire 8 serves as a retainer to prevent the hay placed in the device from falling out at the sides. The lower extremities of the bars (i are crossed over each other in regular order, and by this means the hay is prevented from con tacting with the ground-surface.

There are a number of methods or modes of attaching the braces e to the bars 3, and that shown by Fig. l is similar to the construction illustrated by Fig. 2, wherein the IOO bars 3 are formed with keyhole-slots 9 and the braces 4 have nutted bolts 10, the nuts being retained on the bolts and slipped through the upper enlarged portions of the keyholeslots and said bolts afterward pressed downwardly into the reduced lower extremities of said slots, when the nuts are tightened firmly and hold the braces in immovable position in relation to the said bars 3. By having the nuts retained on the bolts l0 loss of the same will be prevented, and the several parts of the entire frame structure will thereby always be ready for assemblage without the inconvenience which would result from a loss of the nuts.

In Fig. 4 a modified form of the means for connecting the braces 4 and the bars 3 is shown and is somewhat similar to that illustrated by Fig. 2, the nutted bolts l0 being used in this instance; but the bars have in' clined slots ll cut thereiuto from one edge at a downward and inward inclination, so that the bolts may be easilyslipped into the slots and the nuts afterward tightened.

The construction illustrated in Fig. 3 dispenses with the use of bolts, and in this instance the braces 4 have oppositely-disposed reversely-arranged clamping-hooks 12, which are slipped over the outer edges of the bars 3 by first applying the braces 4 at such an elevation that the distance between the edges of the bars 3 is less than the distance between the inner opposing ends of the hooks. The several forms of fastening the braces 4 to the bars 3 permit a ready application and separation of the said braces in setting up or reducing the frame.

In arranging the device for use the member l is rst erected by spreading the bars 3 thereof apart asuitable distance, and the member2 then has its bars separated and the upper extremity thereof pulled downwardly over that of the member l. The bars 6 are then turned down inwardly in the position shown in Fig. l and the wire 8 passed around the bars 3 above the bars 6. 'lhe braces 4 are then attached to the bars 3, and when the parts are thus disposed the frame or curing device as an entirety will be held in rigid position for use and the bars 3 will be prevented from spreading. In collapsing or reducing the improved device to compact forni the braces 4 are detached, the wire 8 released, and the bars 6 turned up against the bars 3, and after the independent members l and 2 have been separated the bars 3 can be drawn into close relation and all the parts held in compact form for storage. In the use of the device the hay is thrown or placed between the bars 3 and rests upon the basket or rick bottom 5 and may be stacked up between said bars 3 any suitable distance. As before indicated, the hay placed within the improved device will be held above the ground-surface, and the'air is thereby permitted to circulate under the same, as well as around and above it, thereby tending to rapidly cure the quantity of hay so arranged and protecting it in wet weather by encouraging a run-oi or drain of the water therefrom and a rapid drying out after the rain has ceased by reason of the thorough ventilation through, under, and over the hay resting upon the basket or rick bottom.

It will be understood that the proportions, dimensions, and minordetails of theimproved device can be varied at will without departing from the principle of the invention.

Having thus fully described the invention, what is claimed as new is- 1. A device of the class set forth comprising independent foldable members having bars pivotally attached adjacent to the lower ends thereof and adapted to be turned inwardly at a downward angle of inclination and crossed, and braces removably attached to the upper portions of the members.

2. A device of the class set forth comprising two members having bars pivoted adjacent their upper ends, the one member being adapted to be placed over the other, foldable bars pivoted adjacent to the lower ends of the bars of the member, braces removably attached to the bars of the members above the lower pivoted bars, and a strand surrounding the members adjacent to the lower pivoted bars.

3. A hay-curing frame comprising two independent members having bars pivoted to the lower portions thereof and adapted to be turned inwardly and downwardly and crossed to provide a basket or rick bottom, and means for preventing the members from spreading beyond a predetermined point of adjustment.

4. A hay-curing frame comprising two independent members pivoted adjacent to the upper end thereof and comprising bars with shorter bars pivotal] y attached adjacent their lower ends, braces removably applied to the independent members and disposed in planes at angles to each other, and a binding-strand passed around the members above the lower pivoted bars.

In testimony whereof I ax my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE SYMMS, JR.

Witnesses:

JNO. T. MCCLUSKY, FRED T. LOCKHART.

IOO 

